Sliney Central

Fr. Michael Sliney, LC

Michael Sliney

The power of forgiveness

by

FAITH

The Power of Forgiveness

How to bounce back after being hit really hard

BY 
     Everyone gets hurt. We all have battle wounds, scar tissue, and jaded memories that threaten to drain our energy and waste our time.
Some of us move quickly beyond this pain and “let go,” but many of us sink deeper and deeper into the quick sand of resentment and mental anguish.
     As a priest, it has been painful for me to see what a lack of forgiveness can do to families, groups of friends and the work environment. Hidden tensions and anxieties often surface in unrelated outbursts of anger, and you can readily see the tiredness and frustration in these unforgiving faces.
     Inner peace simply cannot be had without forgiveness. You become imprisoned within your own little world, and this creates thick blinders that prevent you from seeing the good and the beautiful in God and others.
     I recently posted a few photos while on vacation with my family in Oscoda, Michigan, mentioning how wonderful it was to be with my mom, my siblings, nephews and nieces. A gentleman sent me a note shortly afterwards saying it was painful for him to see these happy photos and read my message. He said he is separated from his family, there are deep wounds in his family circle, and they simply do not get together.
This should not happen. Life is tough enough for all of us, and we need each other as a band of brothers and sisters to work through our struggles.